Frozen beauties: Midway Ice Castles a fragile paradise

Different colors illuminate the ice. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Photographers from all over come to shoot the Ice Castles.(Emily Crooks/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle Jenkins/ The Signpost)Olaf from the Disney movie “Frozen” was a part of the Ice Castles. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Fountains pour from the ice towers. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Lichelle/ Jenkins/ The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, the Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally opened to the public on Jan, 23. (Emily Crooks/ The Signpost)The sun set as workers made finishing touches on the Ice Castle. (Emily Crooks/ The Signpost)Opening night for the Ice Castles in Midway, UT was sold out. Families came to see the beautiful creations, and lights were synced to music for the entertainment of customers. (Emily Crooks/ The Signpost)The sun set as workers made finishing touches on the Ice Castle. (Emily Crooks/ The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally opened to the public on Jan. 23. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Tourists were encouraged to go down one of many slides made at the Ice Castle. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Ariana Berkemeier explores the ice tunnels. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)One of the entrance ways to a hidden maze of ice going throughout the Ice Castle. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Fountains pour from ice towers. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally opened to the public on Jan. 23. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Ariana Berkemeier / The Signpost)

Wintertime can often be gloomy and grey, so one Utah resident decided to liven the season up by creating an icy paradise.

Our photo staff took a trip to Midway to experience the famous Ice Castles before their Friday opening.

Started in the backyard of a local resident just four years ago, the Ice Castles have expanded to three other cities in the United States, according to employees Robert Grebe and Ryan Davis.

Over the last two and a half months, 60 employees have handcrafted the magnificent Ice Castles, first by creating icicles and then expanding them from there.

Most people have been enjoying how nice of a winter we are having. However, with how warm and sunny Utah’s weather has been, the employees of the Midway Ice Castles are not as excited. As the development of the Ice Castles went underway, the sun was fighting against the hardworking team.

“It’s hard to build it, see it melt, build it and see it melt again.” Davis said.

Employee Graham Olson said he is hoping the site will stay open for the week, but that it looks like it will only be three days due to the weather.

If you want to see the beautiful Ice Castles in Midway, you better hurry. To find out more information visit their website at www.icecastles.com.

Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally open to the public on Jan. 23. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally opened to the public on Jan. 23. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Many paths were created throughout the Ice Castles, including slides. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)After 2 1/2 months, Ice Castles in Midway, UT finally opened to the public on Jan 23. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Different colors illuminate the ice. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)Opening night for the Ice Castles in Midway, UT was sold out. Families came to see the beautiful creations, and lights were synced to music for the entertainment of customers. (Kaitlyn Johnson/ The Signpost)